2014 Morgan /4 — MOT failures & pass rate
371 MOT tests on the 2014 Morgan /4 are in this dataset, and 93.3% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (18.2% fail rate), the 2014 /4 comes out 11.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.2%) and brakes (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 6 times.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 9.0% in 2021 to 5.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 12 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.7% | 10 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 6 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.4% | 5 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 6 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 6 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 4 | Washers | 3 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 3 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.1% | 19 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 11 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.0% | 11 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.4% | 9 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.1% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 329 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 40 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 9.0% |
| 2022 | 75 | 4.0% |
| 2023 | 74 | 4.0% |
| 2024 | 75 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 69 | 5.8% |
What to check before buying a 2014 /4
On a 2014 /4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Emissions & environmental (1.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2014 Morgan /4s pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 371 2014 Morgan /4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Morgan /4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.2% of tests, followed by brakes (2.7%).
Does the 2014 /4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 12.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 371 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.